HARTFORD >> A New England gay rights organization is praising Connecticut’s Department of Insurance for informing insurers they must pay “covered expenses” for treatment related to a patient’s gender transition.

Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders on Thursday lauded the agency’s Dec. 19 bulletin for bringing health insurers into alignment with state and federal law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in a health care setting.

The agency also stated gender dysphoria is a legitimate medical condition, occurring when someone is intensely uncomfortable with their biological gender and wants to be the opposite gender.

In 2011, Connecticut enacted legislation banning discrimination against transgendered people in employment, public accommodations, housing, credit, public schools, state contracts and other areas. GLAD said the Department of Insurance determined the law should also apply to health insurance practices.